Speaker Birla promises to keep MPs informed about Bills

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday promised that he will ensure that all members were informed about Bills a day before they were introduced in the House.

"Since I have been chosen to be the Speaker, it is my responsibility to see that I run the House with the consensus of all MPs," Birla said.

"As you have requested, I will see to it personally that before a Bill is listed, all MPs are informed about it a day in advance so that they prepare for it. I will ... personally look into it."

Birla's assurance came as the opposition continued to target the government for pushing Bills in the Lok Sabha for passage at the last moment without consulting other parties.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi denied the charge.

Soon after the House met, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC's Saugata Roy and DMK's Kanimozhi accused the government of bringing Bills in a hurry, without prior notice, leaving no time for preparation for debate.

The matter was raised as the Dam Safety Bill, listed for legislative business on Wednesday, was missing from Thursday's list.

Chowdhury said: "The opposition does not flee from its responsibility. But the way Bills are being pushed by the government is not right. All matters are decided in BAC (Business Advisory Committee)."

TMC's Roy said as the Dam Safety Bill had been suddenly replaced with a new Bill, the opposition had no time for preparation.

Kanimozhi said this had become the government's everyday practice.

Gaurav Gogoi of Congress hit out at the government for rushing through Bills ignoring discussion on the flood situation in many parts of the country.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi said the issues were discussed at the BAC meeting.

"The Dam Safety Bill was removed from the list of business on the demand of (Adhir Ranjan) Chowdhury."

It is then that Speaker Birla intervened and made the promise to the House.